Global Director for Advancement

About CSP

The Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) was initiated at the first 2015 iteration of the Impact Investing for the Next Generation training program at the Initiative for Responsible Investment (IRI) at Harvard Kennedy School. Since then CSP has grown into a global platform with entities in EMEA (Zurich) Asia-Pacific (Singapore) and the Americas (US; with close collaborators at MIT Sloan and Stanford PACS) and academic home at the University of (HSG) working to advance sustainable finance in private wealth as a key lever for social and environmental sustainability.

In 2025 CSP established the CSP Foundation in Zurich as the global coordinating node bringing together our various entities under a unified strategy to maximize impact in sustainable finance education and research.

Position Overview

The Global Director for Advancement will play a pivotal role in securing CSPs long-term sustainability and global impact by leading comprehensive development (fundraising) and alumni engagement strategies across all CSP entities. This position offers a unique opportunity to build and implement advancement infrastructure and strategy for a leading organization in sustainable finance education and research.

This is a relationship-driven strategically focused role requiring exceptional donor cultivation skills operational excellence in development systems and the ability to orchestrate complex multi-stakeholder fundraising campaigns across international entities.

Tasks

Key Responsibilities

Global Fundraising Strategy and Execution (50%)

Strategic Leadership

• Design and lead the comprehensive global fundraising strategy for CSP across regions defining all aspects of fundraising campaigns including: the who (donor prospects and solicitors) what (ask content presentations proposals) where when and how (logistics and execution)
• Design and coordinate annual fundraising campaigns and implementation of an annual fund program to enable each CSP entity to raise needed funds for operations and growth
• Lead design and development of a 2 - 3 year $25 million endowment campaign for the CSP Foundation including strategies for major gifts foundation grants and annual fund programs

Prospect Research and Pipeline Management

• Lead comprehensive prospect research activities to identify and qualify potential donors across all giving levels including wealth screening and philanthropic interest analysis
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospects including foundations tracking readiness and capacity for major gifts
• Develop detailed prospect profiles and briefing materials for cultivation activities

Relationship Development and Solicitation

• Develop and steward relationships with high-net-wealth individuals family offices and institutional donors personally cultivating donor relationships with the goal of making up to six-figure asks where personal connections are strong
• Coordinate and prepare leadership and board members for donor meetings and solicitations
• Develop pitch decks grant proposals and all other necessary collateral
• Manage the cultivation-to-solicitation timeline and process for major gift prospects

Donor Stewardship

• Design and implement comprehensive stewardship programs for all donor levels ensuring timely and personalized acknowledgment of gifts
• Create meaningful recognition and engagement opportunities for donors
• Develop impact reporting and communications to demonstrate philanthropic outcomes

Development Operations and Data Management

• Manage all fundraising-related data and systems ensuring data integrity accessibility and establishing best practices for donor prospecting identification cultivation solicitation and stewardship
• Develop systems and processes for tracking and reporting on fundraising activities and metrics
• Create compelling case statements fundraising materials and donor communications while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and best practices in international fundraising

Alumni Relations & Engagement (30%)

Strategic Alumni Programming

• Build and lead a global alumni engagement strategy integrated with the fundraising strategy across all CSP entities
• Oversee comprehensive offerings for CSPs growing alumni network helping to build their capacity as sustainable finance leaders and increase their engagement with CSP
• Create opportunities for alumni to remain involved with CSPs mission and contribute to its growth

Collaboration with Growth Initiatives

• Work extremely closely with the Director of Growth to create seamless alumni engagement pathways
• Support alumni engagement around referrals for training programs and encourage alumni registration for level 2 programs
• Develop integrated strategies that move alumni along the engagement continuum from program completion to active ambassadorship and philanthropic support

Regional and Global Programming

• Develop and implement programs to maintain strong connections with alumni worldwide
• Coordinate with regional alumni managers to ensure consistent high-quality alumni experiences globally

Team Leadership and Coordination (20%)

• Provide strategic direction and management to reports (0.5 FTE Operations and Fundraising Manager 1.0 FTE Senior Manager Alumni) building their as well as the larger global teams capacity in donor relations prospect research and advancement best practices
• Coordinate advancement activities across CSPs entities in EMEA Asia-Pacific and the Americas fostering collaboration between fundraising and alumni engagement functions
• Report to Management Team on advancement strategy progress and opportunities

Success Metrics

Within the first 18 months the Global Director for Advancement will:

• Establish a global fundraising strategy with clear goals timelines and accountability across all CSP entities
• Build a qualified prospect pipeline of 50 major gift prospects ($50K) and lead implementation of the strategy with key staff and stakeholders
• Personally cultivate and solicit at least 10 major gift prospects
• Launch the $25 million endowment campaign with documented case for support and campaign plan
• Implement donor database systems and reporting protocols across all entities
• Increase alumni engagement metrics by 30% (measured by event participation program referrals and communications engagement)

Requirements

Essential Experience

• 7 years of progressive experience in development/fundraising with significant focus on major gifts (six and seven figures and above) and alumni relations
• Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing six-figure gifts
• Demonstrated success in securing seven-figure gifts and managing successful multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns
• Extensive experience with full-cycle fundraising: prospect research cultivation solicitation and stewardship
• Expertise in donor pipeline management and fundraising data systems
• Experience managing fundraising professionals and building high-performing teams

Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of contemporary donor management/fundraising CRM platforms (e.g. Salesforce Raisers Edge Blackbaud)
• Strong analytical skills for prospect research wealth screening and portfolio management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to craft compelling proposals and cases for support
• Proficiency in creating donor presentations and fundraising materials

Domain Knowledge

• Strong understanding of sustainable finance impact investing or related fields
• Knowledge of the sustainable finance ecosystem and key players
• Understanding of family office and high-net-wealth philanthropic decision-making

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities
• High degree of professionalism discretion and ethical standards
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across international contexts
• Self-starter with entrepreneurial mindset and ability to build programs from the ground up
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to thrive in a dynamic growing organization

Practical Requirements

• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus
• Permission to work in Switzerland or UK/EU/US as relevant to location
• Willingness to travel internationally (up to 25%)
• Willingness to work in a hybrid set-up depending on location

Preferred Experience

• Advanced degree in relevant field
• Experience in higher education or research institution fundraising
• Experience working across multiple international entities or geographies
• Track record of building development programs and systems from the ground up
• Experience with endowment campaigns or comprehensive capital campaigns
• Demonstrated success engaging alumni in both philanthropic and non-financial ways

Benefits

• Opportunity to shape the future of sustainable finance education and research at a critical growth stage
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with Swiss NGO/Foundation standards
• Global exposure and networking opportunities with leaders in sustainable finance
• Professional development and learning opportunities
• Flexible working arrangements with potential for hybrid/remote work
• Being part of a dynamic mission-driven team committed to global sustainability
• Annual personal development budget
• Standard Swiss vacation and benefits package (or equivalent for UK/EU/US locations)

Application Process

Please submit:

1. Your CV/Resume highlighting relevant fundraising achievements including specific campaign results and gift amounts secured
2. A detailed cover letter (2 pages max) explaining your interest relevant experience and fit for this role
3. A development strategy outline (2-3 pages) describing your approach to:

• Building a qualified major gifts pipeline from scratch
• Launching the $25 million endowment campaign
• Integrating alumni engagement with fundraising strategy
• Managing fundraising data and systems across multiple international entities
• Note: Due to technical limitations please submit Item 3 together with Item 2 in a consolidated file.

Application Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Interview Process
Shortlisted candidates will participate in:

• Initial screening interview
• In-depth interview with Managing Director
• Panel interview with Management Team members
• Final interview including case presentation on fundraising strategy

Equal Opportunity Statement

CSP Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds experiences and perspectives who are passionate about sustainable finance and advancing our mission.

We look forward to hearing from you!